A worker has won almost £100,000 [$153, 900] because his firm discriminated against his environmental views after a landmark legal ruling placed them on a par with religious beliefs.

By Andy Bloxham
20 Apr 2010

Tim Nicholson, 42, was made redundant in July 2008 from his £77,000 [$118,503] -a-year post as head of sustainability with Grainger, the UK’s biggest residential landlord.

He was preparing to sue his former employer, alleging that his redundancy was a direct result of his green opinions about the dangers of climate change – which put him at odds with other senior executives within the firm.

At a preparatory hearing last year, a judge ruled that his belief in climate change was legally akin to a religious belief and should be protected from discrimination.

Mr Nicholson, who worked in the firm’s office in Putney, south west London, demanded £756,615 [$1.16 million] in compensation.

The claim against the firm included £587,925 for loss of earnings, £141,080 for loss of pension rights and £20,000 [$30,780] for injury to feelings.

He accused executives of failing to live up to their own green policies to cut emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, saying they drove “the most polluting cars on the road”.

He said that when he tried to find out how much carbon dioxide Grainger emitted, executives blocked him.

Mr Nicholson was subsequently given permission to sue the firm despite its claims that his views were a lifestyle choice.